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This two-part documentary tells the story of the biggest turnaround in world history - the conversion of the Chinese Communist Party to capitalism. When Chairman Mao died in 1976, hardliners were determined to continue the Cultural Revolution. But party member Deng Xiaoping - a former key ally of Mao, but later a critic - thought their policy was mad. China’s food production had collapsed and the country’s industry was on its knees. Deng brought in Western technology and investment and allowed China to produce goods for export, setting the country on course to become one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Featuring interviews with Chinese government officials, entrepreneurs, workers who helped engineer Deng’s reforms and with the ordinary citizens whose lives were changed by them, this documentary examines how China became an economic superpower - while remaining still, nominally, communist.

When Chairman Mao died in 1976, he left China in chaos and poverty. He was succeeded by Deng Xiaoping, who overturned Maoism and taught the Chinese to love capitalism, creating special investment zones for the West. (1 of 2)

China's Capitalist Revolution

By 1989, China faced disaster. Corruption, inflation and the hardship caused by economic reforms drove students and workers to confront the government and the army. (2 of 2)